GIANT STATUE OF LATE CHAIRMAN MAO ZEDONG STANDS IN KASGHAR, 2003-09-17 (photo)

A giant statue of late chairman Mao Zedong stands in Kasghar, China's strategically important border city in the southwestern part of Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Region, September 17, 2003. For about three decades, Xinjiang has been the scene of ethnic tensions. Turkic-speaking Muslim Uighurs, who form the dominant ethnic group there, have used political and terror activities to work towards independance from China. The Chinese government responded with a zero-tolerance policy and has harshly suppressed any form of Uighur political dissent. Picture taken September 17, 2003. REUTERS/Andrew Wong ASW